What heart health products can I buy at my local pharmacy?

Home blood pressure monitors

Taking your blood pressure at home can give you the results to help guide your healthcare provider about making changes in your blood pressure or heart medicines, if necessary.

Your local pharmacy offers several arm and wrist models for home blood pressure monitoring.

Most devices use a band (or cuff) that goes around your arm and a digital display for the readings.

Automatic blood pressure monitors are easy to use; just wrap the cuff around your arm, press a button and your blood pressure appears on the screen.

To use a wrist blood pressure monitor, wrap the cuff around your wrist, press a button and your blood pressure will appear on the screen.

Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. (13)

Home Blood Cholesterol Tests

Local pharmacies offers several products that let you measure your blood cholesterol at home and learn if you are at risk for heart disease in minutes. (14)

Pedometers

If you walk outside, walk a lot during your day or walk on a treadmill, your local pharmacies sells a variety of pedometers to help you count your steps.(15) Some pedometers also measure distance, time or the number of calories you burn.

Aspirin

People who are at high risk for a heart attack or have already had a heart attack may find it helpful to take a daily, low dose of aspirin. This can help prevent blood clots. Ask your healthcare provider if it is right for you.(16)

Fitness Monitors

Your local pharmacy sells a variety of heart rate monitors and activity monitors, or you can simply check your pulse to measure your heart rate. When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 15seconds. Multiply this number by 4to calculate your beats per minute.

Pulse Oximeters

If you don’t have enough oxygen in your blood, you may feel shortness of breath. You can measure your blood’s oxygen level with a small tool called a pulse oximeter that clips onto your finger. It also shows how well your lungs take in oxygen and send it throughout your body. (17)

Pillboxes

A pillbox can help you organize your medicines and keep you from forgetting to take your daily doses. (18)